Fight this exotic bylaw!

To all those who love the reptile hobby and do not want to see it squashed by ignorant bylaws!

Once again the Westcoast Society for the Protection and Conservation of Reptiles (WSPCR) in BC Canada is fighting a city on its decision to make a bylaw concerning reptiles. The bylaw as it currently stands prohibits certain exotic animals from being a part of a public show. Specifically it targets all snakes, crocidilians and turtles. The WSPCR has many educational shows involving harmless snakes. We see our shows as essential because it is the most effective way for our volunteers to reach the community and educate them. Education of reptile keepers and potential reptile keepers is essential because many reptiles suffer and die every year only because their owners did not know how to care for them properly. Our education also focusses on creating a respect for wild reptiles. Not only do we absolutly discourage capture of wild animals but we also help people to fear snakes less and so help them not kill wild snakes out of fear. When the WSPCR presented the city of Coquitlam's Parks Board with these facts and made an appeal to have the bylaw amended to allow us to educate people with our reptile shows we were flat out denied. The reasons given were that the city did not want to encourage people to buy reptiles (members of the council expressed a moral repugnance at the keeping of reptiles insisting that reptiles shoudl not be kept as pets). When asked why they would block our well intentioned efforts but not the pet stores, which often sell sick animals which are improperly cared for, the ignorance of the city officials on the subject was demonstrated when they insisted that no store in Coquitlam sold reptiles (not true, Pet Habitat in Coquitlam Center does). Not only that but they claimed that the city soliciter is working on a bylaw to involve the sale of these animals.

This is an outrage! What gives the city the right to dictate which animals shall and shall not be pets? They will allow us to have cats and dogs and have cat and dog shows. They will allow us to have budgies, fish and hamsters. Tell me how it is wrong to keep a corn snake bred for many generations in captivity compared to a tropical fish collected in the wild where much of its natural population was destroyed iin the process? Why are reptiles a target? People have the misconception that they are slimy and malicious creatures but I challenge anyone who believes this to come to one of our shows and see the intelligence in an iguanas eyes and feel the silky feel to a snakes skin. They will not look at reptiles the same way after such an experience.

This current trend to ban reptiles as pets is unacceptable. It is nothing more than discrimination. Nobody can make an arguement against the keeping of reptiles in captivity that cannot also be made for any other kind of animal being kept as a pet. Cities think that reptile keepers are a small fringe group and so they can bully us around and come out looking good for having "saved the reptiles" without losing too many votes. Well I for one think that its about time reptile keepers got off their behinds and organized to show them we will not stand for it!

Please write to the Coquitlam city councillors and show your support for the continued flourishing of reptile keeping as a hobby. No matter where in the world you live your e-mail or phone call will help. Even if you do not keep reptiles--if you or your kids might enjoy the experience of seeing one up close at a show and asking questions about it then your voice needs to be heard as well. You can reach the Mayor Jon Kingsbury at (604) 927-3001 or jkingsbu@city.coquitlam.bc.ca. Other addresses of councillors are available at http://www.city.coquitlam.bc.ca/City_Goverment/Citgov2.htm. You can reach the WSPCR at (604) 51-WSPCR or info@wspcr.com and check out our web page at www.wspcr.com. Please join with us and show your support.